"The Inside Story of the Most Controversial Musical in Broadway History," by Spider-Man's Glen Berger, Will Hit Shelves in November

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17 Jul 2013

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"Song of Spider-Man: The Inside Story of the Most Controversial Musical in Broadway History," chronicling playwright Glen Berger's journey with Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, is scheduled to hit shelves in November.

According to Amazon.com, the Simon & Schuster book will be released Nov. 5. Click here to pre-order. For other Broadway merchandise, visit the Playbill Store.

Here's how the book is described: "Author Glen Berger was present at the creation [of Spider-Man], when visionary director Julie Taymor selected him to collaborate with her on the book of the musical. For seven years, Berger was an eyewitness to great artistic hopes and battles as Taymor sought to bring her vision to the stage, along with celebrated rock stars Bono and the Edge. But despite terrible reviews and public ridicule, Spider-Man went on to become one of the top ten grossing musicals in the history of Broadway — a feat inseparable from its creators' unassailable passion, immense efforts, and artistic ambition. With a sharp eye for detail and candid sense of humor, Berger reveals every aspect — the highs and lows — of the production and in doing so, takes us inside the theatrical process in a way few authors can. 'The Song of Spider-Man' is the ultimate fly-on-the-wall account of how Broadway works, how big musicals are made, and how great artists continue to dream, even in the midst of a nightmare."

Berger co-wrote Spider-Man's book alongside Tony winner Julie Taymor, who was let go from the production in 2011. Playwright and comic book writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa was then enlisted by the musical's creative team to make revisions to the book alongside Berger.

Berger's other works include Underneath the Lintel; O Lovely Glowworm; and Great Men of Science, Nos. 21 & 22. He has also collaborated on the musicals On Words and Onwards and A Night in the Old Marketplace.